System for ascertaining prediction data

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a system (2) for ascertaining prediction data. The system (2) has a floating unit (4) and a remote base unit (6). The floating unit (4) has a coupling unit (8), a floating hose (10) and a detection system (12). A first end (14) of the floating hose (10) is connected to the coupling unit (8). The detection system (12) is designed to detect, as actual arrangement, a present geometric arrangement of the floating hose (10) relative to the monitoring unit. In addition, the detection system (12) is configured to detect and/or ascertain, as actual location, a present geographical location of the floating unit (4). The detection system (12) is additionally designed to ascertain actual location data which represent the actual location and the actual arrangement. The floating unit (4) is designed to transmit the actual location data via a signal link (18) to the base unit (6). The base unit (6) is designed to receive, as actual weather data, present weather data which represent the present wind strength, the present wind direction, a prediction of the wind strength and/or a prediction of the wind direction in each case of the wind at the actual location. The base unit (6) is additionally designed to receive, as actual sea data, present sea data which represent the present current strength, the present current direction, a prediction of the current strength and/or a prediction of the current direction in each case of the water at the actual location.

The invention relates to a system for ascertaining prediction data. Thesystem comprises at least one floating unit. The floating unit may be,for example, a buoy, a floating hose or a combination of the buoy andthe floating hose. The floating hose coupled to the buoy is used inpractice in order to place the buoy together with the floating hose inthe water of a sea, wherein the buoy is additionally coupled to anunderwater pipeline. For example, crude oil can be delivered to the buoyvia the underwater pipeline, wherein the buoy is designed to deliver thecrude oil from the underwater hose to the floating hose, or vice versa.The floating hose can be coupled at a first end to the buoy so that thecrude oil can flow through the floating hose. A second end of thefloating hose can be coupled to a tanker so that the crude oil can bedelivered to the tanker through the floating hose. When the tanker hasbeen filled, the second end can be detached from the tanker again sothat the second end of the floating hose can float freely in the sea.Some time can pass before a tanker approaches the second end of thefloating hose again. During this time, the floating hose can be movedaway, driven by the water of the sea and/or deflected by the wind, fromthe location at which the second end of the floating hose was previouslyleft in the sea by the tanker. The floating hose can have a long length.Thus, the floating hose can have, for example, a length of more than 20m or more than 50 m. In addition, the buoy can move to a limited degree.For the newly arriving tanker in each case, therefore, first alocalization of the second floating hose, in particular of the secondend of the floating hose, is required in order to make it possible forthe tanker to approach the second end of the floating hose in a mannerwhich is as friction-free as possible and in order to couple thereuponthe second end of the floating hose to the tanker.

The floating unit has been explained previously with reference to anexemplary configuration with a buoy and a floating hose coupled to thebuoy. In practice, however, other floating units can also be used. Thus,the floating unit can have, for example, a coupling unit arranged instationary fashion and a buoyant floating hose, wherein a first end ofthe floating hose is connected to the coupling unit. In this case, thesecond end of the floating hose can likewise be subject to acorresponding movement owing to the movement of the water in the sea.The problems explained above in connection with the floating hosetherefore apply similarly to this example.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing informationwhich facilitates heading a ship to a second end of the floating hose.

The object is achieved by a system having the features of claim 1. Asystem for ascertaining prediction data is therefore provided. Thesystem has a floating unit and a base unit. The base unit is arrangedremote from the floating unit. The floating unit has a buoyant orstationary coupling unit, a buoyant floating hose and a detectionsystem. A first end of the floating hose is connected to the couplingunit. The detection system is designed to detect, as actual arrangement,a present geometric arrangement of the floating hose relative to themonitoring unit. In addition, the detection system is designed to detectand/or ascertain, as actual location, a present geographical location ofthe floating unit. The detection system is additionally configured toascertain actual location data which represent the actual location andthe actual arrangement. The floating unit and the base unit are designedin such a way as to be couplable via a signal link. The floating unit isdesigned to transmit the actual location data via the signal link to thebase unit. The base unit is designed to receive, as actual weather data,present weather data which represent the present wind strength, thepresent wind direction, a prediction of the wind strength and/or aprediction of the wind direction in each case of the wind at the actuallocation. The base unit Is additionally designed to receive, as actualsea data, present sea data which represent the present current strength,the present current direction, a prediction of the current strengthand/or a prediction of the current direction in each case of the waterat the actual location. In addition, the base unit is configured toascertain prediction data on the basis of the actual location data, theactual weather data and the actual sea data, with the result that theprediction data represent a prediction of a geographical target locationof the floating hose at a future, predetermined point in time and/orwith the result that the prediction data represent a prediction of ageometric target arrangement of the floating hose relative to thecoupling unit for the future, predetermined point in time.

A ship heading to the floating hose can in most cases give informationas to when the ship is actually arriving at the floating hose. This canthen be the predetermined point in time. By means of the base unit,therefore, prediction data can be ascertained which give information onthe geographical target location of the floating hose and/or thegeometric target arrangement of the floating hose relative to thecoupling unit. When the ship is in communications contact with the baseunit or when the base unit is arranged on the ship, these predictiondata can be used for steering the ship. Therefore, the ship canparticularly advantageously be caused to approach the second end of thefloating hose, which markedly reduces the overall complexity involved inthe ship approaching the second end of the floating hose and a risk ofcollision of the ship with the floating hose. This is because even whenthe floating hose has moved in such a way that the second end points ina completely different direction than the one in which it was left whenpreviously left in the sea, this is not relevant for a time-efficientheading of the ship to the second end of the floating hose. This isbecause the prediction data can be ascertained on the basis of thepredetermined point in time in such a way that this point in timecoincides with the arrival of the ship. The ship can thereforepredetermine when it arrives at the second end of the floating hose, andthe prediction data specify where the second end of the floating hosewill be, at least approximately, and/or in which direction it ispointing. The prediction data are subject to a certain error probabilityin respect of the target location and/or the target arrangement. This isbecause both the target location and the target arrangement are based ona prediction which is ascertained by means of the base unit.Nevertheless, the amount of time gained is therefore already very largesince the ship being steered up to the floating hose does not need tostop in advance in order to let out an auxiliary boat which finds outthe location and/or the arrangement of the floating hose before the shipreaches it. Overall, therefore, the complexity involved and the timelost are considerably reduced.

The buoyant floating hose can float independently in the water. Sincethe floating unit comprises the buoyant hose, the floating unit is alsoreferred to as such. The coupling unit of the floating unit does notnecessarily need to be buoyant. Instead, the coupling unit can bearranged and/or fastened in stationary fashion and fixedly on land.Preferably, however, provision is made for the coupling unit to likewisebe buoyant. In this case, the coupling unit can float independently. Thecoupling unit can be in the form of, for example, a buoyant body, suchas a buoyant buoy. Furthermore, the floating unit comprises a detectionsystem. The detection system can be formed in one or more parts. Thedetection system can likewise be buoyant. Preferably, however, provisionis made for the detection system to be associated with the coupling unitand/or the floating hose. Thus, the detection system can be fastened onthe coupling unit and/or the floating hose.

The floating hose can be in the form of a plurality of hose segmentscoupled one behind the other. In this case, each hose segment can assuch be designed to be buoyant. A first end of the floating hose isconnected to the coupling unit. As a result, a mechanical connection canbe ensured between the first end of the floating hose and the couplingunit. In addition, provision is preferably made for a fluid connectionto be formed between the interior of the floating hose and the couplingunit by the connection between the first end of the floating hose andthe coupling unit. This is in particular advantageous when a fluid, inparticular crude oil, delivered through the coupling unit is intended tobe delivered through the floating hose to the second end of the floatinghose.

The detection system is designed to detect the present geometricarrangement of the floating hose relative to the coupling unit. Thedetection system can have, for this purpose, a plurality of radio unitswhich together form a radio network, wherein the detection system candetect the geometric arrangement of the floating hose relative to thecoupling unit by means of the radio units and the radio network. Thedetection system can, however, also have a different configuration.Thus, the detection system can have, for example, at least one sensor,in particular an optical sensor, which is designed to detect the presentgeometric arrangement of the floating hose relative to the couplingunit. In this case, the detection system can be designed for patternrecognition of the floating hose in the water. The present geometricarrangement of the floating hose relative to the coupling unit isreferred to as the actual arrangement.

A geometric arrangement can be understood to mean, for example, aspatial structure and/or a spatial arrangement. The geometricarrangement can be determined and/or represented, for example, by thespatial coordinates, for example in a plane, of the floating hose inrelation to the coupling unit. As an alternative or in addition, thegeometric arrangement can be determined and/or represented, for example,by spatial coordinates, preferably in a plane, of hose segments of thefloating hose in relation to the coupling unit. The geometricarrangement can alternatively or in addition relate, for example, to thespatial orientation of the floating hose and/or the course of the centerline of the floating hose in relation to the coupling unit. Thegeometric arrangement of the floating hose relative to the coupling unitcan provide information about how and/or in which geometric form thefloating hose is arranged relative to the coupling unit.

The detection system is designed to detect and/or ascertain the presentgeographical location of the floating unit. The detection system can bedesigned, for example, to receive a satellite signal, in particular anavigation signal from a satellite, and to ascertain, on the basis ofthis satellite signal, the dedicated geographical location. However, itis also possible for the detection system to draw a conclusion on thededicated geographical location by actively transmitting signals andreceiving reflections of this actively transmitted signal. In addition,the detection system can be designed to detect the compass direction.Furthermore, further possibilities are known which make it possible todraw a conclusion on the dedicated geographical location. The detectionsystem can be designed correspondingly for this purpose. A geographicallocation can be determined by geographical coordinates. These are oftengiven in the sexagesimal format. A location can be given in ageographical width and length in degrees and minutes.

In addition, the detection system is designed to ascertain actuallocation data which represent the actual location and the actualarrangement. Therefore, information in relation to the actual locationand the actual arrangement can be combined with the actual locationdata. The detection system can be designed for this purpose. The actuallocation data can be divided into data packets. The actual location andthe actual arrangement can be represented by in each case different datapackets.

The floating unit and the base unit are couplable via a signal link.Preferably, the mentioned signal link exists between the floating unitand the base unit. In this case, it has proven to be advantageous whenthe signal link is formed between the detection system of the floatingunit and the base unit. The actual location data are transmitted via thesignal link from the floating unit, in particular from the associateddetection system, to the base unit. The floating unit and the base unitcan be designed correspondingly for this purpose. The actual locationdata can be transmitted in packet-form or as a whole. The informationrelating to the present geographical location and the presentgeographical arrangement of the floating hose relative to the couplingunit is therefore made available to the base unit.

The base unit is used for ascertaining prediction data which represent aprediction of the target location of the floating hose for a future,predetermined point in time and/or the target arrangement of thefloating hose for the future, predetermined point in time. The base unitcan have, for this purpose, a corresponding processor unit which isdesigned and/or configured to ascertain the prediction data. On thebasis of the present geographical location of the floating unit and thegeometric arrangement of the floating hose relative to the couplingunit, it is possible to predict, taking into consideration the sea dataand the weather data, where the floating hose will move to and in whichposition, namely the target location, the floating hose will be at thefuture, predetermined point in time and in which arrangement thefloating hose, namely the geometric target arrangement, will be at thepredetermined point in time. This is because the sea data giveinformation as to how the present movement of the water in which thefloating hose is floating is. The movement of the water causes acorresponding movement of the floating hose. If the water has, forexample, a certain current in one direction, this likewise causes amovement of the floating hose in the direction of current of the water.The movement of the floating hose can, however, also be caused and/orinfluenced by the wind which is acting on the floating hose from theoutside. This is because the buoyant floating hose protrudes at leastpartially out of the water. This results in a surface of attack on whichthe wind can flow and, as a result, causes a corresponding movement ofthe floating hose. The movement component caused by the wind and themovement component caused by the current of the water of the floatinghose are superimposed, which results in a resultant movement of thefloating hose. This movement caused by the water and wind can be storedin a corresponding mathematical model by the base unit. The base unitcan be designed to implement this mathematical model, wherein the actualweather data and the actual sea data are included in the mathematicalmodel as input variable. Furthermore, the actual location and the actualarrangement can enter into the mathematical model as input variable. Inaddition, the future, predetermined point in time can enter into themathematical model as input variable. The mathematical model is designedand/or configured in such a way that the target location of the floatinghose and/or the geometric target arrangement of the floating hoserelative to the coupling unit is output depending on the inputvariables. If this mathematical model is therefore implemented by thebase unit, the base unit as a result ascertains the prediction datawhich represent the geographical target location of the floating hose atthe future, predetermined point in time and/or which represent thegeometric target arrangement of the floating hose relative to themonitoring unit for the future, predetermined point in time. Therefore,prediction data which can be called up and/or which can be provided bythe system can be ascertained by means of the system. These predictiondata can be used in order to enable a particularly precise and at thesame time time- and cost-efficient heading of a ship to the second endof the floating hose when the heading is intended to take place at thefuture, predetermined point in time. If a ship plans to, for example,couple the second end of the floating hose at a known, future andtherefore predetermined point in time, this can represent the future,predetermined point in time which is used for ascertaining theprediction data. The predetermined point in time can therefore betransmitted to the base unit. The base unit can be designed to receivedata which represent the future, predetermined point in time. Thereupon,the base unit can ascertain the prediction data on the basis of theactual location data, the actual weather data and the actual sea dataand the now known, future, predetermined point in time. Thereupon, thebase unit can be configured to send back the prediction data to thesubscriber from whom the base unit has previously received thepredetermined point in time or the associated data. However, provisioncan also be made for the prediction data to be provided by the base unitfor transmission. If the subscriber therefore calls up the predictiondata, the transmission of the prediction data from the base unit to thepreviously mentioned subscriber can take place. The transmission of theprediction data can take place in wireless or wired fashion.

As already explained above, the coupling unit can be in the form of acoupling unit arranged in stationary fashion. The coupling unit can, forthis purpose, be fastened on the seabed, for example, using wire ropesin such a way that the coupling unit has a fixed location on the surfaceof the water of a sea. The stationary arrangement of the coupling unittherefore does not rule out the possibility of the coupling unit beingbuoyant. It is also possible, however, for the coupling unit to benon-buoyant. The coupling unit can in this case be arranged instationary fashion on land. In this case, the coupling unit is referredto as a stationary, fixedly arranged coupling unit. If the coupling unitis arranged in stationary fashion, it can be assumed that the locationof the coupling unit is unchangeable. In any case, is at leastsubstantially unchangeable. The location of the coupling unit can bestored by a data store. The detection system can access this data storeand, as a result, can detect the actual location of the coupling unit.The actual location of the floating unit can be determined by the actuallocation of the coupling unit. In principle, the actual location can,however, also be determined by an actual location of the center of thefloating hose and/or the center of the combination of the coupling unitand the floating hose. Therefore, the actual location can be, forexample, the central geographical location of the floating unit.

The coupling unit can be designed for connection to the buoyant floatinghose. The coupling unit can have, for example, a hose connection whichis connected to the first end of the floating hose. This can be adetachable connection. Thus, the first end of the floating hose can befastened to the hose connection of the coupling unit and/or connectedthereto by means of screws, for example.

A further advantageous configuration of the coupling unit arranged instationary fashion can be formed, for example, by a coupling unit whichis arranged on a dock or a building close to the water and/or anotherstationary apparatus arranged in or on the water. The floating hose canextend from the coupling unit into the water so that the floating hosefloats in the water, starting from the coupling unit. The floating hoseis in any case likewise subjected to the movement of the water and/orthe wind.

An advantageous configuration of the system is characterized by the factthat the detection system is designed to receive a satellite-assisted,wireless navigation signal, wherein the detection system is configuredto ascertain, as actual location, the present geographical location ofthe floating unit on the basis of the navigation signal. The navigationsignal can be, for example, a GPS navigation signal or a navigationsignal from another satellite system. By means of such navigationsignals, over the course of time of the different signal components, aconclusion can be drawn in respect of the actual location of therespective receiver. The detection system can be designedcorrespondingly for this purpose. Therefore, the detection system canalso ascertain, on the basis of the navigation signal, the presentgeographical location of the detection system itself and therefore alsothe present geographical location of the floating unit on the basis ofthe navigation signal. A compass signal and/or other radio signals canalternatively or additionally be received and/or detected by thedetection system and used to ascertain the present geographical locationof the floating unit. This present geographical location can thereforebe ascertained, for example, on the basis of the navigation signal, thecompass signal and other radio signals. The detection system can bedesigned correspondingly for this purpose.

A further advantageous configuration of the system is characterized bythe fact that the coupling unit is in the form of a buoyant buoy.Therefore, the coupling unit, formed by the buoyant buoy, and thefloating hose are jointly buoyant. The detection system can be borne bythe buoy and/or the floating hose, with the result that the entirefloating unit is buoyant.

A further advantageous configuration of the system is characterized bythe fact that the detection system forms a part of the floating hoseand/or the coupling unit, in particular the buoyant buoy. Thus, part ofthe detection system can be fastened, for example, on the floating hoseand/or embedded in a rubber material of the floating hose. A furtherpart of the detection system can be fastened on the coupling unit, inparticular on the buoyant buoy. The detection system can therefore havea multi-part design, wherein the parts of the detection system aredistributed on the floating hose and the coupling unit. By virtue of themulti-part configuration of the detection system, a particularly precisedetection of the geometric arrangement of the floating hose relative tothe coupling unit is possible. Thus, parts of the detection system whichare associated with the floating hose communicate with the at least onepart of the detection system which is associated with the coupling unitby radio links. Via the radio links, a radio network can be formed,wherein a conclusion can be drawn on the geometric arrangement of thefloating hose relative to the coupling unit via the radio network. Thedetection system can be designed correspondingly for this purpose.

The floating hose is in the form of a buoyant floating hose. Thefloating hose can have a plurality of hose segments which are arrangedone behind the other to form a hose string and are fastened to oneanother at the end sides in each case at the opposite ends. The floatinghose can therefore also be referred to as a buoyant hose string. Buoyantis preferably understood to mean the ability to float in water, inparticular in sea water. This can result in the floating hose and/or thecoupling unit, in particular configured as a buoyant buoy, beingarranged in each case at least sectionally independently above thesurface of the water or protruding above the surface of the water. Eachhose segment can be designed as a type of hose as such and/or a hosesection. Each hose segment can have coupling elements at each of the twoassociated ends, said coupling elements being designed so that aplurality of hose segments can be coupled to one another one behind theother, that is to say in a row. The floating hose preferably has a hosechannel which is designed for guiding fluid, such as crude oil, and isformed jointly by the hose segments. The hose segments are preferablycoupled to one another in such a way that the fluid can be guidedthrough the hose channel without any losses.

A further advantageous configuration of the system is characterized bythe fact that the base unit is a stationary base unit. The base unit cantherefore be fastened in stationary fashion on land. The base unit canbe in the form of a base unit which is fixed in position and is arrangedin stationary fashion on land. The arrangement of the base unit on landprovides the advantage that the base unit can be subjected tomaintenance work and coupled to a further data network particularlyeasily. In addition, the base unit can in this case have a particularlypowerful processor unit which is suitable for ascertaining theprediction data particularly quickly. Furthermore, it is possible forthe base unit to gain access to the actual weather data and/or theactual sea data particularly easily owing to the arrangement on land.This can, for example, take place via an Internet connection which canbe established with respect to the base unit.

A further advantageous configuration of the system is characterized bythe fact that the base unit is installed and/or arranged on a vehicle,in particular a ship. In this case, too, the base unit can have aparticularly powerful processor unit. This is because a correspondinglylarge installation space can be provided on the ship in order to installand/or arrange the base unit there. The signal link between the baseunit and the floating unit can also be ensured when the base unit isarranged and/or installed on the ship. In this case, the signal link isat least partially in the form of a radio signal link. The base unit andthe floating unit, preferably the associated detection system, can bedesigned for a corresponding radio transmission.

An advantageous configuration of the system is characterized by the factthat the signal link is at least partially in the form of a radio link.The signal link in this case relates to the signal link between thefloating unit and the base unit. Thus, the floating unit, in particularthe associated detection system, can set up a signal link initially to asatellite, which in turn produces further links to the base unit. Inthis case, the signal link is partially in the form of a radio link.However, it is also possible for a direct signal link to be produced asradio link between the base unit and the floating unit, in particularthe associated detection system. The floating unit, in particular theassociated detection system, and the base unit can be designed for thispurpose.

An advantageous configuration of the system is characterized by the factthat a mathematical computational model which maps a movement of thefloating unit, in particular the associated floating hose, in the waterdepending on a current strength of the water, a current direction of thewater, a wind strength of the wind over the water and/or a winddirection of the wind over the water is stored by the base unit, whereinthe base unit is designed to ascertain the prediction data by means ofthe computational model as well.

In particular, the buoyant floating hose of the floating unit is buoyantand can therefore float in the water. Part of the floating hoseprotrudes beyond the water line of the water. The remaining part of thefloating hose is arranged beneath the water line. Therefore, thefloating hose can be driven both by the current of the water and by thecurrent of the wind. The current of the water can be determined by thecurrent strength and the current direction. The current of the wind canbe determined by the wind direction of the wind and by the wind strengthof the wind. Therefore, the movement of the floating hose can beascertained by the computational model even when a known water currentand/or a known wind current is acting on the floating hose. The baseunit is designed to receive the present sea data and the present winddata. Therefore, the information on the wind current and the sea currentwhich act on the water hose are available to the base unit. Therefore,the base unit is configured and/or designed to ascertain the predictiondata by means of the mathematical computational model and on the basisof the actual location data, the actual weather data, the actual seadata and the future, predetermined point in time.

An advantageous configuration of the system is characterized by the factthat the base unit is designed to ascertain, as a prediction, on thebasis of the actual location and the actual arrangement which arerepresented by the actual location data, a movement of the floatingunit, in particular of the associated floating hose, by means of thecomputational model and the actual weather data and actual sea datawhich determine the current direction, current strength, wind directionand wind strength as input variable for the computational model inrespect of the geographical target location and/or the geometric targetarrangement. The future, predetermined point in time can be taken intoconsideration as further input variable. This can be transmitted to thebase unit via a data signal. The base unit can therefore be designed toreceive this data signal which represents the future, predeterminedpoint in time. If the input variables are present, the computationalmodel can be implemented with the input variables by the base unit. Thebase unit can have, for this purpose, a corresponding processor unitwhich is designed to implement the computational model. The predictiondata which represent the geographical target location and/or thegeometric target arrangement are output by the computational model asoutput variable. Therefore, a prediction of the location and theorientation of the floating hose which the floating hose will have atthe future, predetermined point in time can be ascertained by means ofthe mathematical computational model. This prediction is based on theactual sea data and the actual wind data. These have an influence on themovement of the floating hose and can therefore be used by means of themathematical computational model to enable the mentioned prediction. Theprediction is subject to a certain error probability, however. This isbecause yet further influencing variables can also prevail which caninfluence the movement of the floating hose. Nevertheless, in practiceit has been found that the prediction with the arrangement of thefloating hose relative to the coupling unit actually occurring at thepredetermined point in time and the actually occurring location at thepredetermined point in time includes only a slight discrepancy.Therefore, the prediction data can be used very advantageously to steera vehicle, in particular a ship, approaching the second end of thefloating hose particularly precisely. As a result, time can be saved,which also results in a corresponding cost saving.

An advantageous configuration of the system is characterized by the factthat the mathematical computational model is represented by anartificial neural network. The neural network can have been trained inadvance with pattern data, with the result that the neural networkensures the mathematical mapping of the computational model particularlyaccurately. The neural network can therefore be implementedcorresponding to a mathematical model.

An advantageous configuration of the system is characterized by the factthat the base unit is designed to implement a training step for adaptingthe neural network on the basis of in each case newly received actuallocation data. The base unit can be designed, for example, toperiodically receive actual location data. Using in each case newlyreceived actual location data, prediction data can be ascertained bymeans of the neural network. If, thereupon, new actual location data arereceived again, a comparison between the actual location data and theprediction data can take place. On the basis of the difference, anadaptation of the neural network can take place. As a result, theaccuracy of the ascertaining process can be increased by the neuralnetwork.

An advantageous configuration of the system is characterized by the factthat the mathematical computational model is represented by a linearmathematical computational model. The linear movement equations whichrepresent the influence of the water current and/or the wind current ona movement of the floating hose can be represented by the linearmathematical computational model.

An advantageous configuration of the system is characterized by the factthat the base unit is at least partially in the form of a computercloud. This may be a so-called cloud network. Provision can also be madefor the base unit to be formed at least substantially completely from acomputer cloud. As a result, the base unit can be produced particularlyquickly.

An advantageous configuration of the system is characterized by the factthat the coupling unit, in particular the buoyant buoy, has a fluidinlet connection, which is designed for the connection for an underwaterhose, wherein the coupling unit, in particular the buoyant buoy, has afluid outlet connection, which is connected to the first end of thefloating hose. The coupling unit or the buoyant buoy can have a fluidchannel between the fluid inlet connection and the fluid outletconnection. Therefore, a fluid connection for directing fluid from thefluid inlet connection to the fluid outlet connection can be produced bythis fluid channel. In principle, provision can also be made for fluidto be capable of flowing in the reverse direction through the fluidchannel. The coupling unit or the buoyant buoy is therefore notnecessarily restricted to one direction of flow. If the underwater hoseis connected to the fluid inlet connection and the first end of thebuoyant floating hose is connected to the fluid outlet connection,fluid, in particular crude oil, can be directed through the underwaterhose and then through the fluid channel of the coupling unit or the buoyto the first end of the buoyant hose. It is thus possible to direct thefluid, in particular the crude oil, further through the buoyant floatinghose up to the second end of the buoyant floating hose as well. Asalready mentioned, a reverse direction of flow for the fluid is inprinciple also possible. Thus, for example, fluid can be pumped from thesecond end of the buoyant floating hose through the buoyant floatinghose to the coupling unit or buoy, with the result that the fluid passesthrough the corresponding fluid channel into the underwater pipeline.

An advantageous configuration of the system is characterized by the factthat the floating unit has a plurality of node units, which are fastenedto the floating hose and preferably also to the coupling unit, inparticular the buoyant buoy, in such a way that the node units arearranged distributed between the coupling unit, in particular thebuoyant buoy, and a second end of the floating hose, wherein each nodeunit is designed to set up, by means of one associated radio unit, ineach case one radio link to each of at least two of the further radiounits of the respective node units, with the result that a radionetwork, in particular a mesh radio network, is produced. Each node unitis designed to ascertain a relative distance from each further node unitwhich is connected via a radio link on the basis of the respective radiolink, wherein at least one of the node units forms a main unit, which isdesigned to collect the relative distances ascertained by the furthernode units via the radio links and/or the radio network. The main unitis designed to ascertain, on the basis of the collected relativedistances, the actual arrangement which represents the present geometricarrangement of the floating hose relative to the coupling unit, inparticular the buoyant buoy.

A geometric arrangement can be understood to mean, for example, aspatial structure and/or a spatial arrangement. The geometricarrangement of the floating hose relative to the coupling unit, inparticular the buoy, can therefore give information on the geometricform in which the floating hose is arranged relative to the couplingunit, in particular the buoy. In order to make the information on thegeometric arrangement of the floating hose relative to the coupling unitavailable for ascertaining the prediction data, provision is preferablymade for the main unit to be designed to ascertain, on the basis of thecollected relative distances, the geometric arrangement of the floatinghose relative to the coupling unit, in particular the buoy. In thiscase, the relative distances preferably relate to the distances betweenthe node units and/or to the distances from the main unit to eachfurther node unit. If the direct distances between the node units alongthe floating hose are not stored by the main unit, they can likewise betaken into consideration as ascertained relative distances between thenode units when ascertaining the geometric arrangement of the floatinghose relative to the coupling unit, in particular the buoy. Otherwise,the stored distances between the node units can also be taken intoconsideration when ascertaining the geometric arrangement. Theabovementioned direct distances should be understood to mean, inparticular, the distance between adjacent node units along the floatinghose. The relative distances which can be ascertained by means of theradio links can preferably relate to the relative distances between themain unit and each of the further node units. Using this data, it ispossible to geometrically map the geometric arrangement of the floatinghose relative to the coupling unit, in particular the buoy.

The node units have radio units for ascertaining the relative distances.Radio links can be established by means of the radio units, with theresult that a radio network, in particular the mesh radio network, isproduced. Radio signals can be exchanged via the radio links. In thiscase, the radio signals have a propagation time between the transmissionand the subsequent reception. The radio signals can therefore be used toascertain the distance between the corresponding radio units. The nodeunits are preferably designed for this purpose. The radio linkstherefore preferably serve to ascertain the relative distances betweenthe node units or the associated radio units. Preferably, the node unitsare configured in such a way that the ascertained relative distances areexchanged via the radio links of the radio network. In addition,provision can be made for each radio unit to be configured in such a waythat the relative distances are ascertained by triangulation on thebasis of propagation times of the signals exchanged via the radio links.Each of the node units can therefore be designed and/or referred to asan electronic node unit. Each of the node units is fixedly or detachablyconnected to the system. Therefore, all or at least some of the nodeunits can be fixedly and/or detachably connected to the floating hose.However, it is also possible for at least one of the node units to beconnected to the coupling unit, in particular the buoyant buoy. Inaddition, provision can be made for in each case one of the node unitsto be connected to precisely in each case one of the hose segments ofthe floating hose. This is the case in particular when the floating hoseis formed by a plurality of hose segments or has the plurality of hosesegments. Otherwise, the (further) radio units can be arrangeddistributed over the length of the floating hose. In this case, it hasbeen found to be advantageous if the distance between the radio units isequal. This can therefore result in a uniform distribution of the radiounits between the coupling unit, in particular the buoyant buoy, and thesecond end of the floating hose. If the floating hose has a multiplicityof hose segments, provision can be made for the node units to bearranged so as to be distributed in such a way that every second orevery third hose segment is connected to one of the node units. Otherdistributions of the node units can likewise be provided.

An advantageous configuration of the system is characterized by the factthat the floating hose is formed by a plurality of hose segments whichare coupled to one another in a row, wherein each hose segment isconnected at least indirectly to at least one of the node units and/oreach hose segment comprises in each case one of the node units. If,therefore, each hose segment is coupled to one of the node units,particularly accurate ascertainment of the geometric arrangement of thefloating hose relative to the coupling unit, in particular the buoyantbuoy, can be performed. The prediction data are ascertained on the basisof the ascertained geometric arrangement and taking into considerationthe sea data and wind data and taking into consideration the future,predetermined point in time. The prediction data can be ascertained moreaccurately the more precisely the present geometric arrangement has beenascertained in advance. Therefore, the abovementioned configuration alsoprovides the advantage that the prediction data can be ascertainedparticularly accurately.

Further features, advantages and possible applications of the presentinvention can be gleaned from the following description of the exemplaryembodiments and the figures. Here, all of the features described and/orillustrated in the figures form the subject matter of the inventionindividually and in any desired combination, even independently of thecomposition thereof in the individual claims, or the back-referencestherein. In the figures, furthermore identical reference symbols areused for identical or similar objects.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an advantageous configurationof the system.

FIG. 2 shows part of a hose segment in an advantageous configuration.

FIG. 3 shows part of a hose segment in a further advantageousconfiguration.

The system 2 is illustrated by way of example and schematically in FIG.2 . The system 2 comprises the base unit 6 and the floating unit 4. Thefloating unit 4 in turn has a coupling unit 8, a buoyant floating hose10 and a detection system 12. The coupling unit 8 is preferably buoyant.The coupling unit 8 can be configured, for example, as a buoyant buoy22. Where mention is made in the text which follows of the coupling unit8, it can therefore preferably be understood to mean the buoyant buoy22. The coupling unit 8 can be arranged in stationary fashion. Thus, thecoupling unit 8 can be fixed to the seabed using ropes, for example.This applies in particular even when the coupling unit 8 is buoyant. Thefixing of the coupling unit 8 to the seabed can, however, also beconfigured in such a way that the coupling unit 8 can move within acertain range on the surface of the water in the sea.

The floating hose 10 has a first end 14 and a second end 16. Thefloating hose 10 is embodied as a buoyant hose. Preferably, the floatinghose 10 is formed by a plurality of hose segments 32 which are connectedso as to be coupled to one another and one behind the other, with theresult that the floating hose 10 has and/or forms a fluid-tight channel,which is also referred to as hose channel. Each hose segment 32 isbuoyant. The first end 14 of the floating hose 10 is connected to thecoupling unit 8. The coupling unit 8 can have, for this purpose, a fluidoutlet connection 36, which is designed to be coupled to the first end14 of the floating hose 10. In addition, the coupling unit 8 has a fluidinlet connection 34, which is designed to be coupled to an underwaterhose 48. In addition, a fluid channel can be formed between the fluidinlet connection 34 and the fluid outlet connection 36, with the resultthat the coupling unit 8 can provide or form a fluid connection betweenthe first end 14 of the floating hose 10 and the underwater hose 48.

In practice, the floating hose 10 and the coupling unit 8 often float inthe water of a sea, with the result that a ship can approach the secondend 16 of the floating hose 10 in order to couple the second end 16 ofthe floating hose 10. Thereupon, the ship can take up a fluid, inparticular crude oil, supplied by the underwater hose 48 via thecoupling unit 8 and the floating hose 10. In this case, the fluid flowsfrom the underwater hose 48 through the coupling unit 8 and thereuponthrough the floating hose 10 to the second end 16 of the floating hose10 in order then to pass into the ship. The ship is preferably in theform of a tanker. In principle, however, there is also the possibilityof the flow of fluid taking place in the reverse direction. Thus, fluid,in particular crude oil, can be fed in from the tanker at the second end16 of the floating hose 10, with the result that the fluid, inparticular the crude oil, flows through the floating hose 10, thecoupling unit 8 and then into the underwater hose 48.

If the exchange of fluid, in particular crude oil, has finished, theship will decouple the second end 16 of the floating hose 10. Thereupon,the floating hose 10 floats together with the coupling unit 8 in thewater of the sea. A current of water and/or a current of wind act on thefloating hose 10 and the coupling unit 8. Depending on the directionand/or the strength of the respective current, a movement of thefloating hose 10 and/or the coupling unit 8 is caused. If another shipnow approaches the floating hose 10, the floating hose 10 will veryprobably no longer be at the point at which the previous ship hasdecoupled the floating hose 10. The floating hose 10 can have a lengthof more than 10 m, more than 20 m or more than 50 m. Owing to themovement of the floating hose 10 and/or the coupling unit 8, the secondend 16 of the floating hose 10 can therefore be very far removed fromthe previously mentioned point. For the newly arriving ship it istherefore of much interest to know in advance where the second end 16 ofthe floating hose 10 is and in which direction the second end 16 of thefloating hose 10 is pointing. This is because, depending on thisinformation, the newly arriving ship will take the route for heading tothe second end 16 of the floating hose 10 so that the second end 16 ofthe floating hose 10 can be coupled to the newly arriving shipparticularly easily. Normally, the path of a ship to the floating hose10 is planned in advance. Therefore, it is also possible to predeterminethe future, predetermined point in time at which the ship will arrive atthe floating hose 10. This future, predetermined point in time can betransmitted to the base unit 6 via an associated input interface 42. Theinput interface 42 of the base unit 6 can therefore be designed fordirectly or indirectly receiving data which represent the future,predetermined point in time.

In order to be able to make a prediction of the geographical location,which is also referred to as target location, of the floating hose 10 atthe future, predetermined point in time and/or a prediction of thegeometric arrangement, which is also referred to as geometric targetarrangement for short, of the floating hose 10 relative to the couplingunit 8 for the future, predetermined point in time, it has proven to beexpedient if first the present geographical location of the floatinghose 10 and/or the present geometric arrangement of the floating hose 10relative to the coupling unit 8 is/are detected. Furthermore, it hasproven to be expedient if present weather data and present sea data areused in order to ascertain the movement of the floating hose 10 on thebasis of the present geographical location and/or the present geometricorientation and taking into consideration the present weather data andpresent sea data.

The floating unit 4 has the floating hose 10 and the coupling unit 8 anda detection system 12. The detection system 12 can have a multi-partconfiguration. Thus, the detection system 12 can have a plurality ofnode units 24 which are arranged distributed between the coupling unit 8and the second end 16 of the floating hose 10. One of the node units 24can be fastened, as main unit 30, to the coupling unit 8. Each of thenode units 24 is designed to set up a radio link 26 with in each casetwo further ones of the node units 24. For better understanding, not allof the radio links 26 are illustrated in FIG. 1 . Instead, only a fewradio links 26 are indicated by dashed lines. A radio network 28 can beformed by the radio links 26. The relative distances between the nodeunits 24 can be ascertained by the radio links 26 or the radio network28. These relative distances can be collected by the main unit 30. Onthe basis of the relative distances, it is possible for the main unit toascertain, by means of triangulation, how the distances from the mainunit 30 to each of the further node units 24 are and in which angulararrangement the further node units 24 are arranged in relation to themain unit 30. On the basis of this information, a geometric arrangementof the floating hose 10 in relation to the coupling unit 8 can beascertained. The main unit 30 can be designed for this purpose. Theconfiguration of the detection system 12 with the plurality of nodeunits 24, of which one of the node units 24 forms a main unit 30, is onepossible variant configuration of the detection system 12. In principle,other possible configurations for the detection system 12 also exist,with the result that the detection system 12 is designed to detect, asan actual arrangement, a present geometric arrangement of the floatinghose 10 relative to the coupling unit 8. Thus, the detection system 12can be designed, for example, for optical detection of the floating hose10 by means of an image sensor, which is arranged on the coupling unit8. Thus, the detection system 12 can detect, by pattern recognition, thegeometric arrangement of the floating hose 10 relative to the couplingunit 8. Also, as a result, a present geometric arrangement of thefloating hose 10 relative to the coupling unit 8 is possible. Thisgeometric arrangement can be detected by the detection system 12 asactual arrangement.

In addition, the detection system 12 is configured to detect and/orascertain, as present actual location, a present geographical locationof the floating unit 4. Thus, the detection system 12 can be designed,for example, to receive a navigation signal 20 from a satellite 38. Thedetection system 12 can also be configured to ascertain the presentgeographical location of the floating unit 4 on the basis of thenavigation signal 20. This geographical location can be determined asactual location. In particular, provision can be made for the navigationsignal 20 to be detectable by the main unit 30 of the detection system12. In addition, provision can be made for the present geographicallocation to be ascertained on the basis of the navigation signal 20 bythe main unit 30. The main unit 30 can thus first ascertain the presentgeographical location of the coupling unit 8. Owing to the mechanicalcoupling between the floating hose 10 and the coupling unit 8, the mainunit 30 can, however, also be designed to determine a presentgeographical location for the entire floating unit 4. Alternatively orin addition, provision can be made for the main unit 30 to be designedand/or configured to ascertain a present geographical location of thefloating hose 10 on the basis of the navigation signal 20. In this case,the present actual arrangement of the floating hose 10 relative to thecoupling unit 8 can be known to the main unit 30, and this presentactual arrangement can be taken into consideration in order toascertain, on the basis thereof and the navigation signal 20, thepresent geographical location of the floating hose 10 as actual locationfor the floating unit 4.

In addition, the detection system 12 is designed to ascertain actuallocation data which represent the actual location and the actualarrangement. The actual location data can therefore represent thepresent geographical location and the present geometric arrangement. Theactual location data can be ascertained by the main unit 30 of thedetection system 12. The main unit 30 can be designed and/or configuredfor this purpose.

The floating unit 4 and the base unit 6 are designed in such a way as tobe couplable via a signal link 18. The floating unit 4 and the base unit6 are therefore preferably designed to establish a signal link 18. Thebase unit 6 can have a radio interface 40 for this purpose. The floatingunit 4 can have the main unit 30, which is likewise designed to set upthe signal link 18. This signal link 18 is not used to ascertain therelative distances, however. Thus, the main unit 30 of the floating unit4 and the radio interface 40 of the base unit 6 can be designed to setup the signal link 18. The base unit 6 and the main unit 30 of thefloating unit 4 can therefore be coupled to one another via a signallink 18. The floating unit 4 and in particular the associated main unit30 are designed to transmit the actual location data via the signal link18 to the base unit 6, and in particular to the associated radiointerface 40. The signal link 18 can therefore be in the form of awireless signal link 18. This can therefore be formed by radio.Therefore, a signal which represents the actual location data can beexchanged between the main unit 30 and the radio interface 40. As aresult, the transmission of the actual location data to the base unit 6can take place. The radio interface 40 can be coupled to a processorunit 46 of the base unit 6, with the result that the actual locationdata can be transmitted to the processor unit 46. The base unit 6 canalso have an input interface 42, which is designed to receive presentweather data and present sea data. The present weather data are referredto as actual weather data. The present sea data are referred to asactual sea data. The input interface 42 can likewise be coupled to theprocessor unit 46 of the base unit 6, with the result that the actualweather data and the actual sea data can be transmitted to the processorunit 46.

The base unit 6 is therefore designed in particular to receive, via theinput interface 42, actual weather data which represent the present windstrength, the present wind direction, a prediction of the wind strengthand/or a prediction of the wind direction in each case at the actuallocation. The actual weather data can be transmitted via a data networkto the input interface 42. The base unit 6 is preferably in the form ofa base unit 6 which is arranged remote from the floating unit 4. Thus,the base unit 6 can be arranged in stationary fashion on land. On theother hand, the floating unit 4, and preferably the floating hose 10 ofthe floating unit 4, is buoyant. The coupling unit 8 can likewise bebuoyant. However, this is not absolutely necessary. Nevertheless, thefloating unit 4 is referred to as such owing to the association.

The base unit 6 is also preferably designed, via the associated radiointerface 40, to receive the actual sea data which represent the presentcurrent strength of the water, the present current direction of thewater, a prediction of the current strength of the water and/or aprediction of the current direction of the water. With the actualweather data and the actual sea data, the data which can be sent inorder to ascertain a force acting on the floating hose 10 which in turncauses a movement of the floating hose 10 are made available to the baseunit 6 and in particular the associated processor unit 46. The same canapply to the coupling unit 8. Therefore, the actual weather data and theactual sea data can also be used to determine a force which is acting onthe entire floating unit 4 in order to ascertain how the movement of thefloating unit 4 takes place. The change in the location of the floatinghose 10 and/or the coupling unit 8 and therefore also the floating unit4 is also dependent, however, on the period of time for which the waterand/or the wind is acting on the floating hose 10 and/or the couplingunit 8. In order to be able to ascertain a prediction in relation to thegeographical target location and/or the target arrangement, provision istherefore preferably made for the corresponding, future, predeterminedpoint in time to be made available to the base unit 6 or to be capableof being transmitted to this base unit 6. The input interface 42 cantherefore also be designed to directly and/or indirectly receive datawhich represent the future, predetermined point in time. The inputinterface 42 can transmit the future, predetermined point in time to theprocessor unit 46 as well.

In addition, the base unit 6 is configured to ascertain prediction dataon the basis of the actual location data, the actual weather data, theactual sea data and the future, predetermined point in time, with theresult that the prediction data represent a prediction of thegeographical target location of the floating hose 10 at the future,predetermined point in time and/or with the result that the predictiondata represent a prediction of a geometric target arrangement of thefloating hose 10 relative to the coupling unit 8 for the future,predetermined point in time. For this purpose, a mathematicalcomputational model can be stored by the base unit 6 which can beimplemented by the processor unit 46. The base unit 6, and in particularthe associated processor unit 46, will implement the mathematicalcomputational model for ascertaining the prediction data. Preferably,the mathematical computational model is configured in such a way thatthe mathematical computational model maps a movement of the floatingunit 4, and preferably only a movement of the associated floating hose10, in the water depending on a current strength of the water, a currentdirection of the water, a wind strength of the wind over the waterand/or a wind direction of the wind over the water. In order toimplement the mathematical computational model in order to ascertain theprediction data, provision is preferably made for the actual locationdata, the actual weather data, the actual sea data and the future,predetermined point in time to form input variables for the mathematicalcomputational model. An output variable of the mathematicalcomputational model can be the geographical target location. A furtheror an alternative output variable of the mathematical computationalmodel can be the target arrangement of the floating hose 10 relative tothe coupling unit 8. By virtue of the mathematical computational modelbeing implemented by means of the processor unit 46 of the base unit 6and on the basis of the input variables explained above, therefore, theprediction data can be ascertained, as output variable, by the base unit6 or the associated processor unit 46, with the result that theprediction data represent a prediction of the geographical targetlocation of the floating hose 10 at the future, predetermined point intime and/or with the result that the prediction data represent aprediction of a geometric target arrangement of the floating hose 10relative to the coupling unit 8 for the future, predetermined point intime.

The mathematical computational model can be formed by an artificialneural network or by a linear mathematical computational model. Theartificial neural network can be trained in such a way that the mappingexplained above between the input variables and the output variables ofthe mathematical computational model is ensured. If, on the other hand,the mathematical computational model is formed by a linear mathematicalcomputational model, this model can have been set up on the basis ofdeterministic mechanical function relationships. The base unit 6, and inparticular the associated processor unit 46, can be formed by anindividual processor unit 46. However, it is in principle also possiblefor the base unit 6, and in particular the associated processor unit 46,to be formed by a computer cloud.

FIG. 2 shows part of a hose segment 32 of the floating hose 10. The hosesegment 32 has a connecting flange 50 at each end-side end. Two hosesegments 32 can therefore be connected to one another via the connectingflange 50 arranged at the end sides. This connection can additionally beproduced using screws.

An advantageous configuration of the system 2 is characterized by thefact that a node unit 24 is assigned to each hose segment 32. Therespective node unit 24 can be fastened, for example, to one of theconnecting flanges 50.

FIG. 3 shows a further advantageous configuration of the part of thehose segment 32. In this case, a cross section of the lateral wall 52 ofthe hose segment 32 is also shown in enlarged form. The lateral wall 52can have an outer layer 54 made of rubber material radially on theoutside. At the radially inner end section, a strengthening support 56can be embedded in the rubber material of the lateral wall 52. Inaddition, provision can preferably be made for a node unit 24 to beembedded in the rubber material of the lateral wall 52. As a result, thenode unit 24 can be particularly well protected from external mechanicaldamage.

In addition, it will be mentioned that “having” does not exclude anyother elements or steps and “a” or “an” does not exclude a multiplicity.In addition, it will be mentioned that features which have beendescribed with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments canalso be used in combination with other features of other exemplaryembodiments described above. Reference symbols in the claims should notbe considered to be limiting.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

-   -   2 system    -   4 floating unit    -   6 base unit    -   8 coupling unit    -   10 floating hose    -   12 detection system    -   14 first end (of floating hose)    -   16 second end (of floating hose)    -   18 signal link    -   20 navigation signal    -   22 buoy    -   24 node unit    -   26 radio link    -   28 radio network    -   30 main unit    -   32 hose segment    -   34 fluid inlet connection    -   36 fluid outlet connection    -   38 satellite    -   40 radio interface    -   42 input interface    -   44 output interface    -   46 processor unit    -   48 underwater hose    -   50 connecting flange    -   52 lateral wall    -   54 outer layer    -   56 strengthening support

1.-16. (canceled)
 17. A system for ascertaining prediction data, thesystem comprising: a floating unit; a base unit arranged remote from thefloating unit; wherein the floating unit has a buoyant or stationarycoupling unit, a buoyant floating hose and a detection system, wherein afirst end of the floating hose is connected to the coupling unit,wherein the detection system is designed to detect, as actualarrangement, a present geometric arrangement of the floating hoserelative to the coupling unit, wherein the detection system is designedto detect and/or ascertain, as actual location, a present geographicallocation of the floating unit, wherein the detection system isconfigured to ascertain actual location data which represent the actuallocation and the actual arrangement, wherein the floating unit and thebase unit are designed in such a way as to be couplable via a signallink, wherein the floating unit is designed to transmit the actuallocation data via the signal link to the base unit, wherein the baseunit is designed to receive, as actual weather data, present weatherdata which represent the present wind strength, the present winddirection, a prediction of the wind strength and/or a prediction of thewind direction in each case of the wind at the actual location, whereinthe base unit is designed to receive, as actual sea data, present seadata which represent the present current strength, the present currentdirection, a prediction of the current strength and/or a prediction ofthe current direction in each case of the water at the actual location,and wherein the base unit is configured to ascertain prediction data onthe basis of the actual location data, the actual weather data and theactual sea data, with the result that the prediction data represent aprediction of a geographical target location of the floating hose at afuture, predetermined point in time and/or with the result that theprediction data represent a prediction of a geometric target arrangementof the floating hose relative to the coupling unit for the future,predetermined point in time.
 18. The system of claim 17, the detectionsystem (12) is designed to receive a satellite-assisted, wirelessnavigation signal (20), wherein the detection system (12) is configuredto ascertain, as actual location, the present geographical location ofthe floating unit (4) on the basis of the navigation signal (20). 19.The system of claim 17, the coupling unit (8) is in the form of abuoyant buoy (22).
 20. The system of claim 17, the detection system (12)forms part of the floating hose (10) and/or the coupling unit (8), inparticular the buoy (22).
 21. The system of claim 17, the base unit (6)is a stationary base unit (6).
 22. The system of claim 17, the base unit(6) is installed and/or arranged on a mobile vehicle, in particular aship.
 23. The system of claim 17, the signal link (18) is at leastpartially in the form of a radio link (26).
 24. The system of claim 17,wherein a mathematical computational model which maps a movement of thefloating unit (4), in particular of the associated floating hose (10),in the water depending on a current strength of the water, a currentdirection of the water, a wind strength of the wind over the waterand/or a wind direction of the wind over the water is stored by the baseunit (6), wherein the base unit (6) is designed to ascertain theprediction data by means of the computational model as well.
 25. Thesystem of claim 17, the base unit (6) is designed to ascertain, as aprediction, on the basis of the actual location and the actualarrangement which are represented by the actual location data, amovement of the floating unit (4), in particular of the associatedfloating hose (10), by means of the computational model and the actualweather data and actual sea data which determine the current direction,current strength, wind direction and wind strength as input variable forthe computational model in respect of the geographical target locationand/or the geometric target arrangement.
 26. The system of claim 17, themathematical computational model is represented by an artificial neuralnetwork.
 27. The system of claim 17, the base unit (6) is designed toimplement a training step for adapting the neural network on the basisof in each case newly received actual location data.
 28. The system ofclaim 17, the mathematical computational model is represented by alinear mathematical computational model.
 29. The system of claim 17, thebase unit (6) is at least partially in the form of a computer cloud. 30.The system of claim 17, the coupling unit (8), in particular the buoy(22), has a fluid inlet connection (34), which is designed for theconnection for an underwater hose (48), wherein the coupling unit (8),in particular the buoy (22), has a fluid outlet connection (36), whichis connected to the first end (14) of the floating hose (10).
 31. Thesystem of claim 17, the floating unit (4) has a plurality of node units(24), which are fastened to the floating hose (10) and preferably thecoupling unit (8), in particular the buoy (22), in such a way that thenode units (24) are arranged so as to be distributed between thecoupling unit (8), in particular the buoy (22), and a second end (16) ofthe floating hose (10), wherein each node unit (24) is designed to setup, by means of one associated radio unit, in each case one radio link(26) to each of at least two of the further radio units of therespective node units (24), with the result that a radio network (28),in particular a mesh radio network, is produced, wherein each node unit(24) is designed to ascertain a relative distance from each further nodeunit (24) which is connected via a radio link (26) on the basis of therespective radio link (26), wherein at least one of the node units (24)forms a main unit (30), which is designed to collect the relativedistances ascertained by the further node units (24) via the radio links(26) and/or the radio network (28), and wherein the main unit (30) isdesigned to ascertain, on the basis of the collected relative distances,the actual arrangement which represents the present geometricarrangement of the floating hose (10) relative to the coupling unit (8),in particular the buoy (22).
 32. The system of claim 17, the floatinghose (10) is formed by a plurality of hose segments (32) which arecoupled to one another in a row, wherein each hose segment (32) isconnected at least indirectly to at least one of the node units (24)and/or each hose segment (32) comprises in each case one of the nodeunits (24).